Just picked up an 88 FJ62!

[TheElegantFox]

Just picked up an 88 FJ62 as my new DD/project with just 220k on the clock. It’s a rust free Texas chassis, but it’ll need some dent repair and a repaint. I’m lurking the restoration threads to get an idea of the ballpark costs, but any insight would be appreciated.

I’m in the Raleigh area and hopefully I’ll find some other owners to talk shop with.

 

[batthewmrown]

Looks like a good find! What's the plan of attack?

 

[RodrigzCrzr]

Nice Find!
Congrats and welcome to the madness!!

 

[TheElegantFox]

Thanks! I’m glad to be here. I’m hoping to do a DD quality refresh involving the standard stuff like mirrors, carpet, seats, and paint. I’m also eying the Corsetti Cruisers side graphic, but I’ll have to cover the rest first.

 

[tmxmotorsports]

I have the same color 62 but an 89 nice score i am not to far away Currituck Nc on the way to obx 2 miles south of the grave digger monster truck shop

 

[Simcoe]

Sweet score! I just got my '88 like two weeks ago -
I'm up in Charlotte, but I know theres a good group of guys up in your area. Check out NC- Olde North State Cruisers

 

[mattressking]

What's wrong with the paint? If it's original, i'd say give it a good buff, get the chrome back on the windshield and clean it up with the list you have so far. Since it's your daily, you should focus more on the mechanics of it before you just dump cash for a respray that won't get you down the road when it breaks down due to lack of maintenance...

 

[TheElegantFox]

What's wrong with the paint? If it's original, i'd say give it a good buff, get the chrome back on the windshield and clean it up with the list you have so far. Since it's your daily, you should focus more on the mechanics of it before you just dump cash for a respray that won't get you down the road when it breaks down due to lack of maintenance...

I’ll see if I can get some more telling pictures and post in the paint forum. It’s got clear coat failure on the roof and hood along with a quarter sized rust bubble on the rear panel. I am handy with a DA polisher though, so I’ll try a cut and polish first.

 

[mattressking]

I’ll see if I can get some more telling pictures and post in the paint forum. It’s got clear coat failure on the roof and hood along with a quarter sized rust bubble on the rear panel. I am handy with a DA polisher though, so I’ll try a cut and polish first.

Sounds like a good plan of attack. How's the rest of the truck? Engine feel smooth or any issues/visible leaks? Fluid changes? Knuckles look good or soupy? It's funny what tends to come to the surface after driving daily for a couple months.

 

[Randy88FJ62]

Install transmission cooler and a nice transmission temperature gauge. If you don't you can overheat and potentially ruin the transmission. That should be #1 priority imo.

 

[TheElegantFox]

I think it’s sound mechanically, I don’t think it’s got a trans cooler though. It is a newish auto 4 with only 15k on it. I’ll have to find the service records and see what all was added.

 

[mattressking]

I think it’s sound mechanically, I don’t think it’s got a trans cooler though. It is a newish auto 4 with only 15k on it. I’ll have to find the service records and see what all was added.

Trans cooler is internal to radiator. Usually an external cooler is added to 1. aid in cooling when larger tires are added and help with trans temps when towing/going up steep grades and 2. avoid the possibility of an internal leak in radiator which would cause coolant to mix with ATF and possibly cause catastrophic failure (but this isn't exactly common, so I wouldn't worry about it).

 

[diesellibrarian]

I think it’s sound mechanically, I don’t think it’s got a trans cooler though. It is a newish auto 4 with only 15k on it. I’ll have to find the service records and see what all was added.

The stock "trans cooler" is your radiator. Some people add an auxiliary cooler - especially if they've gone with an aftermarket rad.

 

[TheElegantFox]

Ah ok, that makes sense. I’ve got a lot to learn!

 

[tmxmotorsports]

Oil galley plug fix first and foremost its in the faq in this section above...

 

[Dunbar]

I would try to find out who built the transmission. Most shops in the US are unable to rebuild the A440F and make it reliable. Start saving for an Extreme Transmission from Rodney in Australia or.... to realize the potential of the 3FE, convert to an H55F five speed manual gearbox.

 

[landcruiserjunky]

Very cool! Welcome!

 

[rrv333]

Welcome and great looking 62. Get a Factory Service Manual (FSM) and then baseline it. Do everything already stated in the above threads and then enjoy it.

 

[onemanarmy]

nice. i'll be on the lookout.

 

[SteveH]

Neat truck - you might go do some light 'wheeling and pinstripe it before you paint it. If the paint is truly shot, go have some fun first!